Sample collection device

ABSTRACT

A sampling device having a lower portion with a sample container. A cap is moveably attached with the lower portion and includes a cutting edge configured for cutting a leaf. When the cap is attached to the lower portion with a leaf there between, a leaf sample is deposited into the sample container of the lower portion. The cap includes a vent in fluid communication with the sample container such that the leaf sample is dried. A detachable label can extend from the lower portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/171,870, filed Jun. 5, 2015 and to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/237,492, filed Oct. 5, 2015, the disclosures of each are hereinincorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices and processes for sampling biological material, such as plantspecimens, can be complex and expensive. To correlate test resultsaccurately, many systems utilize expensive and complex computer basedGPS tracking methods, which include barcode reading, GPS tracking,and/or electronic sampling, and accordingly require highly trainedpersonnel, who may not be available in all regions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention can be related to a sampling device andassociated methods for use. Each sampling device can include a lowerportion, a cap, and an attached label. The lower portion can contain asample container. The cap can include a cutting post and be configuredto attach to the lower portion while simultaneously cutting a samplethere between.

The sample can be a biological sample, such as plant matter, and morespecifically a leaf, and the sampling device can be specificallyconstructed only for use with plant matter, such as a leaf. For example,the cutting post of the cap can be constructed from a polymer whichwould be unsuitable for other biological materials (e.g. skin, fat) bynot having a sharp enough cutting edge. In addition, the cap can befluidly vented in order to dry vegetable matter samples afterprocurement and provide a channel to add testing fluid duringprocessing. Such a vent may be incompatible with other types ofbiological matter, such as animal tissue, because it would not preventthe ingress of bacteria and other matter.

Many embodiments of the invention are related to sampling device. Thesampling device can include a lower portion with a sample container. Acap can be moveably attached with the lower portion and include acutting edge configured for cutting a leaf. When the cap is attached tothe lower portion with a leaf there between, a leaf sample is depositedinto the sample container of the lower portion. The cap can include avent in fluid communication with the sample container such that the leafsample is dried. A detachable label can extend from the lower portion.

Many embodiments of the invention are related to a sampling devicesystem. The system can include a plurality of rigid labels detachablyconnected to each other in a side by side formation. Each rigid labelcan be elongated from a back portion to a front portion. Each frontportion can be detachably connected to a sampling device. The system mayinclude a shipping box for holding the plurality of rigid labels, ashipping bag for holding the sampling devices detached from rigidlabels, and/or a desiccant for use within the shipping bag to dry outthe leaf samples contained within each sampling device.

Many embodiments of the invention are related to method for sampling aleaf of a plant using a sampling device system. A strip may be obtainedthat includes a plurality of rigid labels detachably connected to eachother in a side by side formation. One rigid label can be detached fromthe plurality of labels and interconnected sampling device from thestrip. The one rigid label can be detached from its sampling device andassociating the one rigid label with a particular plant. A particularleaf sample of particular plant can be obtained by positioning aparticular leaf of the particular plant between the cap and bottomportion attaching the cap to the bottom portion. The sampling deviceholding the particular leaf sample can be placed within a shippingcontainer having a desiccant for drying out the particular leaf sample.The shipping container holding the sampling device and particular leafsample can then be sent to a sample analysis facility.

Many embodiments of the invention are related to a method for analyzinga leaf sample of a plant. A shipping container holding at least onesampling device with a particular leaf sample stored therein can bereceived. The at least one sampling device can be removed from theshipping container and recording a particular code stored on thesampling device. The at least one sampling device can be filled with asample preparation treatment fluid without opening the at least onesampling device by providing the sample preparation treatment fluidthrough a vent of the cap of the sampling device. At least some of aresultant fluid comprising the sample preparation treatment fluid andparticular leaf sample can then be retrieved. An assay may be performedusing the resultant fluid. Results of the assay may be associated with aparticular plant using the particular code of the sampling device.

Many embodiments of the invention are related to a sampling devicehaving a lower portion having a sample container and an elongated boreadjacent to the sample container. A cap can be moveably attached withthe lower portion and comprising a cutting edge configured for cutting aleaf, such that when the cap is attached to the lower portion with aleaf therebetween, a leaf sample is deposited into the sample containerof the lower portion, the cap also comprising a dead space passageconfigured to receive a first pipette. The cap can include a vent influid communication with the sample container such that the leaf sampleis dried during transport of the sampling device, the vent beingconfigured to receive a second pipette.

Many embodiments of the invention are related a method for sampling aleaf of a plant using a sampling device system. In the method, aplurality of sampling devices can be obtained, each sampling devicecomprising a dead space passage configured to receive a first pipetteand a vent configured to receive a second pipette, the vent being influid communication with a sample container. The plurality of samplingdevices can be arranged in first and second sampling device arrays. Theplurality of sampling devices can be positioned adjacent to an array ofpipettes, the array of pipettes comprising a first plurality of pipettesand a second plurality of pipettes arranged in alternating rows. Thearray of pipettes can be moved such that the first plurality of pipettesmove into the vents of the first sampling device array and the secondplurality of pipettes lower into the dead space passages of the firstsampling device array. Fluid can be withdrawn from the vents of thefirst sampling device array using the first plurality of pipettes. Thearray of pipettes can be moved such that the first plurality of pipettesmoving into the dead space passages of the second sampling device arrayand the second plurality of pipettes lower into the vents of the secondsampling device array. Fluid can then be withdrawn from the vents of thesecond sampling device array using the second plurality of pipettes.

In many embodiments, the lower portion can include at least a partiallycylindrical sample container.

In many embodiments, the lower portion can include a at least apartially round sample container.

In many embodiments, the lower portion can include an at least partiallyoval shaped sample container.

In many embodiments, the lower portion can be moveably attached to thecap by a flexible hinge.

In many embodiments, the lower portion can be moveably attached to thecap by an elongated post extending out of the cap.

In many embodiments, the elongated post can be slidable within anelongated cavity adjacent to the sample container within the lowerportion.

In many embodiments, the cap can include an elongated cutting post thatextends into the sample container.

In many embodiments, the elongated cutting post can be configured toimmobilize the leaf sample at a bottom portion of the sample container.

In many embodiments, the bottom portion and cap can be configured to cutonly the edge of a leaf.

In many embodiments, the bottom portion can include a depth limitingwall for limiting ingress of the bottom portion over a leaf.

In many embodiments, the label can be rigid and extend in cantileverfrom the lower portion.

In many embodiments, one of the cap and bottom portion can include aunique code that is correlated to the label.

In many embodiments, the vent can be adapted to act as a filling conduitfor a sample preparation fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C respectively show perspective, top, and side views of asampling device, according to many embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2A shows a partial cross-sectional view of a sampling device,according to many embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2B shows a sample obtained by use of a sampling device, accordingto many embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a plurality of sampling devices, according to manyembodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C respectively show perspective, top, and side viewsof a sampling device, according to many embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5A shows a partial cross-sectional view of a sampling device,according to many embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5B shows a sample obtained by use of a sampling device, accordingto many embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 5C-5F show cross-sectional and top views of a sampling device,according to many embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5G shows a top view of an array of sampling devices, according tomany embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a plurality of sampling devices, according to manyembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7A depicts sampling device system, according to many embodiments ofthe invention.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 8 depict methods for using a sampling device,according to many embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 9A-9C show a method for processing an array of sampling devices,according to many embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Specific examples are described below in reference to the providedfigures. However, these examples are non-exclusive and non-exhaustive inorder to provide a clear and concise disclosure. Thus, it should beunderstood that the examples are not limited to the particularcombination of elements, and specific elements of the examples can becombined with the elements of other examples. In addition, each exampledoes not depict a minimum combination of elements, and hence specificelements of the examples can be removed.

FIGS. 1A-1C respectively show perspective, top, and side views of asampling device 100. The sampling device 100 can be constructed from apolymer, for example, polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (ABS), or high density polyethylene (HDPE). The sampling device100 includes a lower portion 102, which is configured to include aninterior surface that defines a sample container. In this example, theinterior surface is defined by a cylindrical wall 104 leading to abottom surface 106. However, other shapes are possible.

The exterior of the lower portion 102 is cylindrical and includes amid-section 108 having a relatively reduced diameter, which can be usedfor retaining the sampling device to tools and fixtures. A middle flange110 and lower flange 112 flank the mid-section 108, and a cylindricalsection 114 leads upwardly from the middle flange 110.

An elongated label 116 extends in cantilever from the lower portion 102,however, the elongated label 116 can extend from any portion of thesampling device 100. The label can be constructed from a rigid material(e.g. UV stabilized HDPE, UV stabilized PP, or polyvinyl chloride(PVC)), such that the label can support its own weight and that of therest of the sampling device without deforming. The elongated label 116can carry a variety of information, such as a serial number and productidentification, in the form of barcodes, printed lettering, and/orelectronic identifiers (e.g. radiofrequency identification (RFID) chip).Any portion of the sampling device 100 from which the elongated label116 detaches from, including non-detached portions of the elongatedlabel 116, can include an identification (e.g. bar code) that correlatesthe detached label to the remaining sampling device, and thereforecorrelates the detached label to any sample contained therein. Aproximal portion 118 of the label 116 includes a circular opening sothat the label 116 fits over and is supported by the cylindrical section114 while abutting the middle flange 110 of the lower portion 102. Theproximal portion 118 also includes thinned sections 120 that preferablyfracture upon application of force to the elongated label 116. The lowerportion 102 can be molded about the elongated label 116 toadvantageously reduce production steps and cost.

The sampling device 100 also includes a cap 122 having an elongatedcutting post 124 sized to fit within the cylindrical wall 104 of thelower portion 102. There can be little to no clearance between theelongated cutting post 124 and the cylindrical wall 104, such that theelongated cutting post 124 fits tightly within the cylindrical wall 104.The elongated cutting post 124 can be grooved as shown to reducefriction during insertion. In addition, the elongated cutting post 124can include angular cutting edges 126 configured for cutting material,such as a plant specimen (e.g. leaves, bark, stalk, flowers, rootsetc.). The elongated cutting post 124 can be of a length such that anyvegetable matter cut by the cutting edges is physically trapped betweenthe elongated cutting post and the bottom surface 106 of the lowerportion 102. The cap 122 is fluidly vented by a passage 128 throughextends through the elongated cutting post 124. While a circular shapedelongated cutting post 124 and cylindrical wall 104 are shown for usewith the sampling device 100, other shapes are possible, including forexample, fully or at least partially circle or oval (such as a D-shape),rectangular, polygonal, and semi-circular.

A tether 130 extends from the cap 122 to a circular portion 132 thatconnects to the cylindrical section 114 of the bottom portion 118. Thetether 130 can be notched to preferably bend at a certain location alongits length.

FIG. 2A shows a partial cross-sectional view of the sampling device 100,with the cap 122 fitted to the lower portion 102. As shown, the cap 122has been fitted by bending and/or fracturing the tether 130 and fittingthe elongated cutting post 124 and the cylindrical wall 104. As aresult, the cap 122 is securely held by the lower portion 102, and anymatter that was cut by the cap 122 during this process is physicallydetained between the end of the elongated cutting post 124 and thebottom surface 106.

The resulting cut matter will form a circular biscuit as shown at FIG.2B, which will be secured from movement by the elongated cutting post124. During transportation, a sample of vegetable matter may dry to theextent of becoming brittle. Thus, retaining the sample by the elongatedcutting post 124 can help prevent the fragile sample from being easilydislodged and damaged. Notably, the bottom surface 106 remains in fluidcommunication to exterior surroundings by way of the passage 128 thatpasses through the cap 122. Hence, any biological matter stored withinthe sampling device 100 can be hydrated or dehydrated through passage offluids through the passage 128.

FIG. 3 shows a plurality of sampling devices 134 arranged in a side byside format. Here, the labels 116 are formed as a strip and configuredto forcibly detach from one another, for example, by applying force toperforated, notched, or thinned boundaries present between each label116. The caps 122 and lower portions 102 of attached to each label,however are not attached to adjacent caps 122 and lower portions 102.Hence, detachment of a particular label 116 results in procurement of anindividual sampling device 134.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C respectively show perspective, top, and side viewsof another example of a sampling device 200, which shares many of thegeneral features of the sampling device 100 shown at FIG. 1A. Howeverhere, the sampling device 200 includes a lower portion 202 having aninterior container with a semi-circular “D-shaped” cross-section,instead of the circular cross-section of the sampling device 100 shownat FIG. 1A.

The sampling device 200 includes a cap 204 that includes an elongatedcutting post 206 having a complimentary D-shaped cross-section cuttingedge. There can be little to no clearance between the elongated cuttingpost 206 and the interior container of the lower portion 202, such thatthe elongated cutting post 206 fits tightly therein. The elongatedcutting post 206 includes an interior passage 208 that fluidly vents thecap 204 and lower portion 202.

An elongated label 210 extends in cantilever from the lower portion 202.The label can be constructed from a rigid material (e.g. rigid polymer),such that the label can support its own weight and that of the rest ofthe sampling device without deforming. The elongated label 202 can carrya variety of information, such as a serial number and productidentification, in the form of barcodes, printed lettering, and/orelectronic identifiers (e.g. radiofrequency identification (RFID) chip).Any portion of the sampling device 200 from which the elongated label210 detaches from, including non-detached portions of the elongatedlabel 210, can include an identification (e.g. bar code) that correlatesthe detached label to the remaining sampling device, and thereforecorrelates the detached label to any sample contained therein. Aproximal portion 212 of the elongated label 210 is secured to a portionof the cap 204, however, the proximal portion 212 can be secured to anyportion of the sampling device. The proximal portion 212 also includesthinned sections 214 that preferably fracture upon application of forceto the elongated label 210. The cap 204 can be molded about theelongated label 210 to advantageously reduce production steps and cost.

FIG. 5A shows a partial cross-sectional view of the sampling device 200,with the cap 204 fitted to the lower portion 202. As shown, the cap 204has been fitted by sliding the cap downward onto the lower portion 202.A lateral post 216 cooperates with a passage within the lower portion202 to serve as a travel guide for this operation. As a result, the cap204 is securely held by the lower portion 202, and any matter that wascut by the cap 202 during this process is physically detained betweenthe end of the elongated cutting post 206 and the bottom of thecontainer within the lower portion 202. The resulting cut matter willform a D-shaped biscuit as shown at FIG. 5B, which will be secured frommovement by the elongated cutting post 206. During transportation, asample of vegetable matter may dry to the extent of becoming brittle.Thus, retaining the sample by the elongated cutting post 206 can helpprevent the fragile sample from being easily dislodged and damaged.Notably, the lower portion 202 remains in fluid communication toexterior surroundings by way of the interior passage 208 that passesthrough the cap 204. Hence, any biological matter stored within thesampling device 200 can be hydrated or dehydrated through passage offluids through the interior passage 208.

One particular advantage of the sampling device 200 is the ability toremove samples from an edge of a biological material, such as a leaf.This prevents the need to cut into or tear the biological material ordisassemble the sampling device to retrieve a sample that was taken at acentral portion of a leaf for example. A depth limiting wall 218 shownat FIG. 5A, prevents the ingress of the sampling device from protrudingbeyond an edge a leaf. Such a depth limiting feature is not limited touse with the sampling device 200 shown at FIG. 5A, and can for examplebe used with the sampling device 200 shown at FIG. 1A. While a partiallycircular/oval D-shaped elongated cutting post 206 and correspondingcontainer of the lower portion 202 is shown for use with the samplingdevice 200, other shapes are possible, including triangular, fully oval,rectangular, polygonal, and circular.

FIGS. 5C-5F shows views of an alternative construction of the samplingdevice 230, which shares many of the same features as the samplingdevice shown at FIGS. 4A-4C. Hence, many of the same reference numbersare described above, and not repeated here for the sake of brevity.Here, a difference is that a lateral post 232 extends from the lowerportion 202. The lateral post 232 cooperates with a shaft 234 of the cap204. The cap 204 includes a dead space opening 236 that is open to adead space passage 238 that extends through the lateral post 232. Thedead space opening 236 is sized to allow a pipette to pass through intothe dead space passage 238. Because there is only one sample containerper sampling device 230, only the interior passages 208 hold samples,while the dead space openings 236 serve as passages into dead space.This is to provide compatibility with a standardized liquid handlingmachine, which provides a fixed pipette for each standardized welllocation. If the dead space openings 236 were not present, pipetteswould otherwise collide due to the overall footprint of the samplingdevice 232, which is greater than the distance between two wells of astandard microplate.

The top views shown at FIGS. 5E and 5F show exemplary dimensions for thesampling device 230. Here, the center to center exemplary dimensionbetween the interior passage 208 and the dead space opening 236 is 9 mm(0.354 in.). Further, the width of the sampling device 230 is 8.75 mm(0.344 in), which is less than the 9 mm spacing that is standard inmicro-titer format and which enables the arrangement of a plurality ofsample collection devices in a side-by-side array at 9 mm formatting;and the length is 17.5 mm (0.689 in), which is less than 18 mm (or twotimes the 9 mm spacing that is standard in micro-titer format) and whichenables the arrangement of a plurality of sample collection devices in aside-by-side array at 2×9 mm formatting; and hence the interior passage208 and the dead space opening 236 of the sampling device will besituated 9 mm apart in the X or Y direction from any abutting samplingdevice. These dimensions are based on compatibility with standardizedmicroplate dimensions per Standards ANSUSLAS 1-2004 through ANSUSLAS4-2004. Hence, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32 or ideally 48 sampling devices230 can be arranged in an array as shown at FIG. 5G using a specializedtray 240, such that each interior passage 208 and opening 236 are placedat the theoretical well locations of a standardized 96 well microplate,and therefore arranged to be compatible with commercially availableliquid robotic handling apparatuses configured for standardizedmicroplates. The tray 240 includes curved portions 242 for fittingcurved ends of the sampling devices 230, as well as a truncated side 244that lines up with flat ends of the sampling devices 230. In thismanner, two trays 240 can be arranged near each other such that the samemulti-channel pipetting device can access both arrays to transfersamples efficiently to a second microtiter format plate, and in someembodiments, the two trays can be side by side to comprise for example,96 sampling devices 230, as further discussed below.

Useful arrays of the invention are arranged at predetermined spacing.Exemplary useful spacing between sample collection devices in an arrayis the quotient of 9 mm and X where X is an integer, or optionally theproduct of 9 mm and X where X is an integer. Therefore a useful arraywould include center to center spacing of sample collection devices of1.125 mm (9 mm/8), 2.25 mm (9 mm/4), 4.5 mm (9 mm/2), 9 mm (9 mm/1), 18mm (9 mm×2), 27 mm (9 mm×3), 36 mm (9 mm×4), and 45 mm (9 mm×5) andbeyond (9 mm×X). The number of sample collection devices can be as fewas two, four, 8, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48, 96, 384, 768 and as many as 1,536or more. An ordered array of sample collection devices can be onedimensional, where the devices are arranged in a row with evencenter-to-center spacing, and where a one dimensional multichannelpipette can simultaneously access two or more samples in the row.Optionally, a useful ordered array of sample collection devices in theinvention can be two dimensional, where the devices are arranged in rowsand columns with even center-to-center spacing in the rows and columns,and where a one dimensional multichannel pipette can simultaneouslyaccess two or more samples in a given row, or a given column, oroptional where a two dimensional multichannel pipette can simultaneouslyaccess multiple samples in more than one row and more than one column.One embodiment of the invention is where sample collection devices havethe same center-to-center spacing in rows that is different form thecenter to center spacing in columns. For example, the center to centerspacing in rows is set at 9 mm, and in columns is set at 18 mm. Anotherembodiment of the invention is where sample collection devices have thesame center-to-center spacing in rows that is the same as thecenter-to-center spacing in columns. For example, the center to centerspacing in rows and columns is set at 9 mm.

FIG. 6 shows a plurality of sampling devices 220 arranged in aside-by-side format. Here, the labels 210 are formed as a strip andconfigured to forcibly detach from one another, for example, by applyingforce to perforated, notched, or thinned boundaries present between eachlabel 210. The caps 204 and lower portions 202 of attached to eachlabel, however are not attached to adjacent caps 204 and lower portions204. Hence, detachment of a particular label 210 results in procurementof an individual sampling device 200.

FIGS. 7A through 7C depict the contents of a sampling device kit andmethod for use of a sampling device. The contents of a kit can beprovided within a shipping box, a sample shipping bag, a sealed descantbag, and a plurality of sampling devices, which, for example, can takethe form of any of the sampling devices and combinations thereofdisclosed herein. The amount of sampling devices can vary depending onthe needs of a user, generally at least one sampling device is provided.The leaf sample shipping bag is configured to hold leaf samples and thesealed desiccant bag.

At FIG. 7B, the user detaches one rigid label of the plurality of labelsfrom the strip provided in the kit. The resulting sampling device isthen applied to a leaf as shown, by closing the cap of the samplingdevice over the lower portion, with a portion of the leaf lying inbetween. The resulting action causes a sample of the leaf to be securelydeposited and immobilized within the sampling device. The label of thesampling device is detached and secured either to the plant directly, orindirectly the container holding the plant from which the sample wastaken. Thus, the sample within the sampling device can be traced back tothe labeled plant or plant container, because the sampling deviceincludes a matching or linked identification. This process can berepeated for additional plants until all the sampling devices within thekit of FIG. 7A are loaded with sample material.

At FIG. 7C, the sampling devices are placed within the sample shippingbag along with an activated desiccant, which dehydrates the samplesduring shipping via the vents provided within the sampling devices. Thefilled shipping bag is then placed within a shipping box provided withinthe kit and shipped to a sample testing facility.

At FIG. 8, the shipping box along with its contents of the shipping bagfilled with at least one sampling device are received and the samplingdevice is removed. The sampling devices and their contents can then berehydrated with a solution (e.g. a plant tissue lysis buffer) by afilling apparatus 800 through the vents of the sampling devices, thus,preventing the need to open the sampling devices to test their contents.For example, reagents (e.g. an alkaline solution including but notlimited to NaOH) for extracting nucleic acids or proteins can be addedthrough the vents of the sampling devices. Exemplary protocols fornucleic acid extraction can be found in, e.g., Current Protocols inMolecular Biology (Ausubel et al., eds., 1994-1999). An assay (includingbut not limited to nucleic acid sequencing, polymerase chain reaction,etc.) can then be performed for each sample and the results of eachassay can be correlated to particular plants by correlating theidentification code of each sampling device to the remaining label leftat the place of harvest.

FIGS. 9A-9C show steps of a method for using the sampling device 230 ofFIGS. 5C-5F. As noted above, the each interior passage 208 and opening236 are placed at the theoretical well locations of a standardized 96well microplate, and therefore arranged to be compatible withcommercially available liquid robotic handling apparatuses configuredfor standardized microplates. However, because there is only one samplecontainer per sampling device 230, only the interior passages (vents)208 hold samples, while the openings 236 serve as passages into deadspace. This arrangement provides compatibility with a standardizedliquid handling machine, which provides a pipette for each standardizedwell location. If the openings 236 were not present, pipettes wouldotherwise collide due to the length of the sampling device 230.

At FIG. 9A, the sampling devices 230 are arranged into a first array 300and a second array 302, with each array here containing 48 samplingdevices 230 as shown at FIG. 5G. The sampling devices 230 of each arrayare arranged in an identical fashion, but the arrays mirror image oneanother such that the vents of each sampling device 230 of the firstarray 300 are placed on the left hand side, while the vents of eachsampling device 230 of the second array 302 are placed on the right handside. The first and second arrays are placed in adjacent to a pipettearray 306, which has a standardized array of 96 pipettes, here shown inalternating rows of A and B pipettes. The pipette array 306 can be partof a commercially available liquid handling apparatus, such as theIntelliQube® by Douglas Scientific. Relative movement of the pipettearray 306 and first and second arrays of sampling devices can beaccomplished by robotic systems, as is known in the art, or in somecases semi-automatically derived by use of sliding sampling deviceholding fixtures utilizing bearing slides and a pipette array limited tovertical automated movement.

At FIG. 9B, the pipette array 306 is moved such that each pipette isplaced into a dead space passage or vent of the sampling devices of thefirst array 300. Here, the A rows of pipettes are placed in fluidcommunication with the vents, and thus in fluid communication with thesample container portion of the sampling devices which contain leafsamples and have been prefilled with fluid, while the B rows of pipettesare positioned into the dead space passages. Fluid can then be withdrawnfrom the A rows of pipettes. In some cases, only the first array 300, ora lesser portion thereof, of sampling devices is present, and hence onlyhalf or less than half the pipette array 306 will be utilized.

At FIG. 9C, the pipette array 306 is moved such that each pipette isplaced into a dead space passage or vent of the sampling devices of thesecond array 302. Here, due to the mirror image arrangement of the firstarray 300 and the second array 302, the B rows of pipettes are placed influid communication with the vents, and thus in communication with thesample container portion of the sampling devices which contain leafsamples and have been prefilled with fluid, while the A rows ofpipettes, which were already utilized for the first array 300, arepositioned into the dead space passages. Fluid can then be withdrawnfrom the B rows of pipettes. In this manner 96 samples can be processedfrom 96 sample containers.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus,while the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof areshown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that there is no intention to limit theinvention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary,the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions,and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, asdefined in the appended claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to beconstrued as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joinedtogether, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of rangesof values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method ofreferring individually to each separate value falling within the range,unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value isincorporated into the specification as if it were individually recitedherein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitableorder unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplarylanguage (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to betterilluminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitationon the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language inthe specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimedelement as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

1. A sampling device comprising: a lower portion comprising a samplecontainer and an elongated bore adjacent to the sample container; a capmoveably attached with the lower portion and comprising a cutting edgeconfigured for cutting a leaf, such that when the cap is attached to thelower portion with a leaf therebetween, a leaf sample is deposited intothe sample container of the lower portion, the cap also comprising adead space passage configured to receive a first pipette, wherein thecap is moveably attached to the lower portion by an elongated postextending out of the lower portion, and wherein the cap includes a ventin fluid communication with the sample container such that the leafsample is dried during transport of the sampling device, the vent beingconfigured to receive a second pipette.
 2. The sampling device of claim1, wherein the dead space passage and the vent are spaced 9 mm apart. 3.The sampling device of claim 1, wherein the sampling device isconfigured to be arranged in an array of similarly configured samplingdevices.
 4. The sampling device of claim 1, wherein the lower portioncomprises an at least partially oval-shaped sample container. 5.(canceled)
 6. The sampling device of claim 1, wherein the dead spacepassage is at least partially formed within the elongated post.
 7. Thesampling device of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises an elongatedcutting post that extends into the sample container.
 8. The samplingdevice of claim 7, wherein the elongated cutting post is configured toimmobilize the leaf sample at a bottom portion of the sample container.9. The sampling device of claim 8, wherein the bottom portion comprisesa depth limiting wall for limiting ingress of the bottom portion over aleaf.
 10. The sampling device of claim 1, further comprising a rigidlabel that extends in cantilever.
 11. The sampling device of claim 1,wherein the vent is configured to act as a filling conduit for a samplepreparation fluid.
 12. A method for sampling a leaf of a plant using asampling device system, the method comprising: obtaining a plurality ofsampling devices, each sampling device comprising a dead space passageconfigured to receive a first pipette and a vent configured to receive asecond pipette, the vent being in fluid communication with a samplecontainer; arranging the plurality of sampling devices in first andsecond sampling device arrays; positioning the plurality of samplingdevices adjacent to an array of pipettes, the array of pipettescomprising a first plurality of pipettes and a second plurality ofpipettes arranged in alternating rows; moving the array of pipettes suchthat the first plurality of pipettes move into the vents of the firstsampling device array and the second plurality of pipettes lower intothe dead space passages of the first sampling device array; withdrawingfluid from the vents of the first sampling device array using the firstplurality of pipettes; moving the array of pipettes such that the firstplurality of pipettes moving into the dead space passages of the secondsampling device array and the second plurality of pipettes lower intothe vents of the second sampling device array; withdrawing fluid fromthe vents of the second sampling device array using the second pluralityof pipettes.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein each sampling devicecomprises: a lower portion comprising a sample container and anelongated bore adjacent to the sample container; a cap moveably attachedwith the lower portion and comprising a cutting edge configured forcutting a leaf, such that when the cap is attached to the lower portionwith a leaf therebetween, a leaf sample is deposited into the samplecontainer of the lower portion, the cap also comprising the dead spacepassage, wherein the cap includes the vent in fluid communication withthe sample container such that the leaf sample is dried during transportof the sampling device.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the deadspace passage and the vent are spaced 9 mm apart.
 15. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the plurality of sampling devices arranged in asampling device array are positioned to where the distance between thedead space passage and the vent of a first sampling device is the sameas the distance between the vent of a first sampling device and the ventof a second sampling device in the array.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the distance between the dead space passage and the vent of afirst sampling device is 9 mm and the distance between the vent of afirst sampling device in the array and the vent of a second samplingdevice in the array is also 9 mm.
 17. The method of claim 12, whereinthe first and second sampling array are arranged so as to be accessibleby the same liquid handling device.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereinthe first sampling array directly abuts the second sampling array. 19.The method of claim 17, wherein the second sampling array is arranged asa mirror image of the first sampling array.
 20. The method of claim 12,wherein the plurality of sampling devices comprises 96 sampling devices.21-73. (canceled)
 74. The sampling device of claim 10, wherein the rigidlabel extends from the lower portion of the sample container or an upperportion of the sample container, and is detachable therefrom.